Wrench having pivotable jaws cammed by pivoting handle



April 22, 1952 J, J, GREER ET AL 2,594,154

WRENCH HAVING PIVOTABLE JAWS CAMMEDBY PIVOTING HANDLE F.led March 22, 1950 2 SHEETS--SHEET l jgg 7./ 5 Ur 4? j. 4%/ INVENTORS.

ATTORN EYS April 22, 1952 J. J, @REER ET AL 2,594,154

WRENCH HAVING PIVOTABLE JAws CAMMED BY PIVOTING HANDLE Filed March 22, 195o 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 VENTORS. J0 /7/1' @lng @r ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 22, 195.2

OFFICE WRENCH HAVING PIVOTABLE JAWS CAMMED BY PIVOTING HANDLE John J. Greer, Warwick Neck, and Samuel C. p

Greer, Warwick, R. I.

Application March 22, 1950, Serial No. 151,094

Y 7 Claims. 1l

This invention relates to a hand tool ci the type in which two relatively movable jaw members are adapted to engage the work, as in wrenches, pliers, pipe wrenches and the like.

Hand tools of this general character usually consist of two work engaging jaws which are relatively moved to and from each other by means of a handle composed of two parts. These parts are grasped by the hand and moved towards each other to close the jaws about the work so as to apply a torque thereto. `For many uses such handtools require a strong grip to maintain the jaws in engagement with the work in order to prevent slipping.

' An object of the invention is the provision of a tool of the above character in which the jaws thereof willbe moved by means of cam surfaces tor engage and grip the work, and in whichsaid cam surfaces will move onto the jawsin a manner tending to increase the leverage of the force applied thereto.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a tool which may be manipulated by one hand and in which the Work engaging jaws may be separated from the work by force exerted on the tool by a relative movement between the thumb and ngers of the operator. Another object of the invention is the provision of a tool in which the jaws may be interchangeable in order to provide jaws with work engaging portions to accommodate the tool to a particular use.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lock to hold the Wrench in one position of fixed size.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a tool embodying the invention with one closure wall removed and shows the jaws in work-engaging position;

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the tool;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. l, but showing the jaws as separated from the work;

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are sectional views taken substantially along lines 4 4, 5.-5, and ii-G of Fig. 1 respectively; j Fig. 'Zv is a View of a jaw with a modified workengaging portion;

Fig. 8 is a view of a jaw with a further modi:- cation of the work-engaging portion;

2 Figs. 9 to 12 are layout views showing relative positions between the jaws and the means to actuate the same from an opento close position;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a modification with a lock to hold the jaws in one iixed size;

Fig. 14 is a section on line I4-I4 of Fig. 13.

In general the invention comprises a tool hav-` ing two Work-engaging jaws which are mounted in iull floating relationship and which are interchangeable With jaws having work-engaging portions suitable for different requirements of the use of the tool. An operating handle composed of a single bar is fulcrumed in the body of the tool and has cam surfaces thereon which are engaged by the jaws. The cam surfaces are such that one of the jaws will be moved to and from work-engaging position at a faster rate of travel than the other jaw. These cam surfaces a'realso so related to the fulcrum of the handle that when the jaws are moved to work-engaging position, the point of contact between the handle and one of the jaws will be at a location with reference to the fulcrum of the handle, so as to exert arelatively great leverage on the jaw. Means may also be provided for separation between the jaws and work by a relative movement between the body of the tool and the handle.

Referring to the drawing for a more detailed description of the invention, I0 designates generaly a wrench which comprises a body portion I I formed of suitable sheet metal of suiicient thickfness to withstand the strain to which such a tool is subjected. The bodyis composed of a bottom wall I2, side walls I3, I 4 and a closure plate l5. The bottom wall is provided with an inwardly extending boss I6 having a threaded opening II. The closure plate I5 has an opening I8 aligned with the opening I1. A screw bolt I9 extends through the opening I8 with the Vhead portion thereof engaging the plate I 5, and the shank portion engaging the threaded opening I'I, so as to detachably secure the plate and body to each other.

A pair of identical jaws 20 are pivotally mounted within the cavity of the body Il which is open at each end. Each jaw comprises a tapered shank portion 2l extending into the body cavity from the front end thereof, and is provided with an opening 22 in which is received a pintle 23 having reduced end portions 24 providing shoulders 25 thereon. The portions 24 are received in aligned openings 26, 21, provided in bottom wall I2 and cover plate I5, the shoulders 25 abutting againstthe bottom wall and plate I5 and thereby retaining the pintles in place.

I 'I'he portion of each jaw which extends forwardly from the front end of the body II is of greater thickness than the shank portion 2| and is of a formation in accordance with the requirements of use of the tool. Different shape jaws may be rprovided,the. two jaws o f each pair being interchangeable'oneV with the other. In Fig; '7 we have shown a jaw provided with work-engaging teeth 28, while in Fig. 8 we have shown a work-engaging jaw having a work-engaging face 29 suitable for engaging a cylindrical work piece. In these several jaws the shank portions 2 I thereof are each identical one with the other.

In order to interchange one pair of jaws lwith .the other, the screw bolt I 9 is disengaged from 'the opening I'I in a usual mannerto permit-removal of plate I5 from the body II. The jaws affixed to the body may then be readily exchanged .andthe plate I5. replaced and secured in position. Ainactuatinghandle .3D comprising anv .elon- .gatedgbar 3,I.ha s theend portionz thereof extending. Within the cavity ofthe body and. is

.-pvotally` securedthereto by means .of a pintle 33 in a manner similar to that employed in mounting the laws therein. The pintle33 has reduced end portions 34 providing shoulders 35. The pintle extends .through an opening36 in the portion 32, 1.

thereduced `portions3ll being received in aligned openings'l; 38, provided in the bottom wall and lclosureplate iof thebody portion. The opening 3611s positioned at a locationspaced to one side ,Olii/helongitudi,nal,axisV of the. handle, while open- 1j. 'ingsl and'arepositioned at a location at one aside` of`a; line extending midway betw en the This provides. for a quickrclosing and opening of l. thejaws about' the work. "In'F'igs, 9 to 12 we have vshowndifferent.relative positions between cam ^surfaces.and .javvs. vInrlig. 9the work-engaging ends of the jaws are shown substantially fullyV separated. The surface'E engages the carnat point '4.0' and .the surface 28"' engages the cam v.39' atgpoint-fdl. In Fig.11'2 the jaws are shown in vwork.--engaging relation. VThe surface 2u has been relatively moved between pointsdu, d2 on cam 3s While surface 20"has been relatively moved be tween points 4I, 43on cam ,39. yA transverse line 1 Athrough the point of engagement 133 between surface `20" and cam 3.9, when the. jaws are in work- ,engaging position, passes near Athe center of fulcrurn 33 ofthe handle, so that a relatively great leverage maybe applied to the jaw.

The side wall I4'is extended beyond the bottom Wall "I2 so as'to provide .a lip 44, the outer-surface of' which is Toughened by a knurling i5 or the like. A torsion spring 46 has an arm di thereof ,secured tothe inner side of thelip i4 such as by welding as at ri.V The other arm 49 is slidably ,related in a groove 59 which is provided in the edgeofthe handle. The spring exerts a force on thehandle in adirection tending to move the jaws 1 UQ fWollflfll-enges,me relation.

Inapplyingthe wrenchto the Work the handle .is grasped by the fingers of the operator with the -thumbresting on thelip lill. Pressure exerted on the lip will swing the body of the wrench about The cani the fulcrum 33 of the handle and relatively move the surfaces 2li', 20 over the cams 38, 39. This will separate the jaws 20 to be positioned about the work or to permit the jaws to move about the work in the manner of a ratchet wrench. Releasing the pressure on the lip will permit the spring 46 to swing the body about fulcrum 33 and close the jaws on the work. The handle then maybe ,moved in the direction of `arrow 5I (see Fig. l1) to. apply .a torquesto the workin the usual manner.

lIn Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 we have shown a locking member 56 slidably mounted on the bar 3I which may. ,be slid into the end portionof the body II when the .bar'is' positioned withv its longitudinal axisextending in .a line centrally thereof. Porlock them. in. onejposition against the cam sur faces. Stand 3i! of the end of the bar. Thus, a certain size or space between ythe jaws is determined for a nut to be gripped. A notch 53 in the slide receives the pivot 33 which mounts the Abar 3l in the body.

We claim:

i.. A hand tool comprising'abody, apair of work-engaging jaws mounted intermediatetheir ends on spaced pivots on said body for movement relative to one another and to said body, a handle mounted near its inner end on' a pivot on said body for movement relative to said body andto said jaws, the inner end'of said handle 'having cam surfaces thereon engageable with inner end extremities of said jaws for moving the same to and from work-engaging position; and said handle being pivoted to said body: atsucha ilo cation that a straight line, connecting Lsaidlend extremities of said jaws, would Vpass between. and in spaced relation to, said' handle-pivot'aiid aline connecting lsaid jaw pivots, saidhan'dle pivot also being spacedfrom thelong'itudinalaxes of said body and said handle.

2. A hand tool as set forth in clair-nfl Vfeather comprising a vlip'cnsaid body for swingingsaid bedyabout theY pivot of said handle to-movesaid jaws over saidcam surfacesftoseparate theijaws from the Work.

3. A hand tool asset forthin claim 1 further comprising a lip on saidy bodyfor. swingingsaid body about the pivot ofV said handle to'movesaid jaufs over said cam surfaces to' separate the' jaws from the work, and resilient means for moving said body about'said handle pivot to move'said jaws over said cam surfaces to return said jaws to work-engaging position.

4'. A hand tool asset forth in claim 1 wherein said cam surfaces have shapesthat provide for moving one of said jaws to and from workengaging position at a substantially faster rate than the other.

5. A hand` tool as set forth lin claim 1 wherein said cam surfaces have shapes that provide for moving'one of said jaws to and from vwork-engaging positionl at a substantially faster rate than the other, and a lock member slidably mounted onrsaid handle to move into 'engagement with said jaws to engage both of them and lock the same against saidicams'to secure the jaws in xed position.

6. A hand tool as set forth in cla-im 5 wherein said lock member is provided withspacedfears. at Y the inner end portion thereof to engage saidjaws to lock the same against said cams.

7. A hand tool. as set forth in claim 5 wherein said lock member is provided with a slot through which said halrlle passes to sldably mount said lock member on said handle.

Number 733,138 JOHN J. GREER. 1.218488 v. SAMUEL C. GREER. 5 1.761,28() RQFERENCES CITED 2'047'548 The following; references arewof record in the fue of this patint: Number 6 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Bullard July 7. 1903 Stromberg 1--- Mar. 6, 1917 Sorensen June 3, 1930 Colognori et; al. July 14, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain -...V.-- May 19, 1905 

